Amazon Returns Liquidation

When an Amazon shopper returns a product, Amazon processes the return and chooses to either restock that item into their warehouse, dispose of it, or sell it to a liquidation store. Amazon also only accepts returns of certain products, and has guidelines for what they will and won’t take back. While many factors including quality, condition, and packaging impact what happens to the returned merchandise, the quantity of the returned items can sway Amazon to liquidate the merchandise—if a large amount of the same product is returned at one time, it can be complied into a pallet or Amazon liquidation box, then resold to an Amazon liquidation center where retailers can purchase branded and non-branded products at a discounted rate.

Amazon Returns Pallets

Now that we’ve discussed what happens to Amazon products when they are returned, let’s talk through Amazon returns pallets and liquidation boxes in more detail. 

Because Amazon liquidation warehouses typically sell returned products in bulk pallets, it’s difficult for a buyer to purchase individual items. Sometimes these pallets or liquidation boxes will include multiple units of the same product, numerous different products, or “mystery products” that aren’t detailed in the pallet description. These “mystery” pallets don’t require the seller to catalog each individual product and are often sold at an even more discounted rate. This might sound like an appealing way to increase Amazon sales, but may not be ideal for Amazon returns wholesalers who are particular about what products they are wanting to sell.

It’s a common misconception that products purchased from Amazon liquidation warehouses are likely to be damaged or otherwise faulty. While it’s true that returned items often have issues with their packaging or minor cosmetic faults, Amazon makes an effort to avoid reselling merchandise that is returned due to the product itself. It is possible to purchase high-quality products in perfect or near-perfect condition from Amazon liquidation warehouses—just be sure to pay close attention to details, including the condition of the products, prior to purchasing the returned goods.

Where to Buy Amazon Return Pallets

Amazon returns pallets and liquidation boxes cannot be purchased directly from the Amazon marketplace, but can be sourced from a variety of online liquidation stores. These liquidation sites often have unclaimed Amazon packages for sale, giving you the opportunity to purchase merchandise that has never been opened. If you’re not sure where to start, try browsing through popular liquidation sites that partner with Amazon. Many of these Amazon returns liquidation websites don’t require you to create an account to browse available inventory. However, you will need to create a verified account before you can place bids or purchase Amazon returned products. 

Speaking of placing bids, it’s worth noting that most liquidation retailers sell Amazon returns pallets or liquidation boxes in auction format, meaning you will need to know how to bid on Amazon pallets and how to navigate the ins and outs of an online auction. To make the bidding process a bit easier on the buyer, reputable auction house websites offer tools like email alerts and automated bids that are triggered when someone outbids you. Before getting started with placing bids, be sure to familiarize yourself with the site’s auction process and the features the platform offers. 

While Amazon liquidation sites are the most reliable way to purchase Amazon returns wholesale, it’s not your only option. Sometimes, private sellers compile returned Amazon products into mystery boxes and sell them on seller-managed auction websites. The eBay marketplace can be a great option for Amazon marketplace sellers and wholesalers looking to source products—just be sure to look at the seller’s reviews before making a purchase, as purchasing from individual sellers doesn’t come with the same protection as purchasing from a trusted liquidation website.

Pros and Cons of Selling Amazon Return Pallets

Amazon retailers are as unique as the products sold on the marketplace. That’s why it’s essential to develop your strategy for success. Before deciding if selling Amazon returns wholesale is right for your business, be sure to weigh the benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s start with the benefits of purchasing returned items:

• Purchasing returned Amazon products in bulk enables Amazon retailers to source high-quality merchandise at a deeply discounted rate and resell those products at a higher margin.
• Purchasing Amazon returns directly from an Amazon liquidation partner is typically a quick and simple process.

However, there are potential drawbacks of buying returned Amazon products wholesale:

• The quality of returned products that are resold by liquidation stores is not guaranteed.
• In addition to purchasing products you don’t want to resell, sourcing “mystery” pallets include an added risk of receiving damaged products.

Purchasing returned Amazon products can be a lucrative Amazon wholesale strategy, as long as you do your research and source from vetted liquidation sellers. We recommend working with trusted liquidation partners and carefully reviewing all details available, especially the quality and condition, of the Amazon returns pallet or liquidation box you’re purchasing. Once you have your product on hand and listings active, we recommend reviewing your seller account and product listings frequently to ensure you're consistently meeting Amazon's seller requirements and reduce the risk of suppressed listings.